Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-12-23

eyes, you can, Deacon. NoOouy
ever speaks to ME as you do"
The good man hesitated. Hes per-
frctly sober for once" was the tho ought
that determined him.
well, Job, I'll try you. I've got
something for you TO do right off, that
know from past experience nobody
can do better. III give You sdollar, a
bed tonight. and such Christmas din
ner with my help, as you haven't bad
since we sent the turkeys down TO the
army. l want to keep you from the
tavern tomorrow. Look there
He pointed to the stately occupant oil
the fowl. house.
by thunder, what buster!" was
the admiring comment.
Biggest in town." said the owner
complacently. ''Pve fatted him care
fully for myself; tips the scale at
twenty-five pounds, just as he is. I'm
going to have a dozen ut the table 20
morrow; the young man from the west
that my daughter Sally is about TO
marry will be there. And that great
bird want you to kill, clean and dress
in your very best style"
"I'll do il, Deacon"
Now, mind! I'm trusting you as no
man else would. | understand that
some OF those goddess fellows of the viii
lage are going to have turkey-rsffie at
the tavern tonight. One of the wretches
had the impudence to come here this
morning and offer me five dollars for
that turkey, just as he is. | told him
wouldn't take his weight in gold for
him, for that purpose. So you look
sharp; they're none too good to sho t
him. Now, Job, go ahead. Get boiling
water and knives, and anything else
YOU need, from the kitchen. The
hatchet is behind the Goor. Work fast,
and be just as faithful and careful as
though the turkey was your own"
The briei December day was declin-
ing. 1t was almost sunset when Job
Harkins, with his preparations all COM
plete, and his materials about him,
bound the legs OF the victim, placed his
neck over log, and with one swinging
blow of sharp axe, decapitated him.
Bravo, Job !-done like al old cav
alryman! Was that the way you fellows
used your sabers"
Job looked at the man who had just
cautiously climbed the rear fence OF the
deacon's premises. He had, in fact,
been hidden behind it for the last fifteen
minutes, Overbearing the whole conyer
saTion.
Don't you bother me. Sandy Badger.
want to do this job quick an well.
Go way, and lemme alone"
You needn't be so tercay, Job.
guess fellow might watch you. Seein ,
you handle the hatchet so cleverly put
me in mind of the great cavalry fight
I've heard you tell of. Which was itF'
Any provocation to talk about his SER
vice in the war was sure TO draw Job
out, rs his cunning tempter well knew.
Don't know. Might have been Bran
dy Station; might have been Yellow
Tavern. Both big fights"
WAS you in both of 'cm, Job?"
Eyes, indeed; and in dozen other
smaller ones"
(Which licked in those twO?"
I'VE did at the Tavern; L other one
they called kind of a draw"
So the talk went on until the turkey
WAS cleaned and dressed. Holding it up
by the legs, Harkins said:
Now, amt that beauty. M0re'n
twenty pounds dressed, really believe"
"Splendidw said Sandy. $50 now
you're doue. job, tell us who COM
manded there at Brandyf"
General PleasantOn, OF course"
Fighting Gineral?"
"You bet," said the veteran, with en-
thusiasm.
'Job-lets drink his health"
Mr.. Badger produced square flask.
job hesitsted.
81 don't want to-"
What's the odds? Your work is all
done. You amt going back on your
old commander, be yOu!"
The ar. lment was irresistible. Job
Crank.
He was n lost man from that moment.
His tongue was lOOsed; he talked and
drank, and drank again. The crafty
rascal piled him with the fiery stuff,
merely making pretense Of drinking
himself. He proposed the health Of
General Sheridan, and Job enthusiastic
ally drank it. lie drank to the Army OF
the Potomac; to his Colonel; TO his
Captain; TO the old fighting st Mas
sachuse:ts Cavalry. Near dark the Dea
con came out in the yard, and gazed
with CONSERVATION at the sight. Job
Harkins was leaning against the fence
| in maudlin conditions; the hot water
was overturned, hatchet and knives scat
! tered on the ground.
Where is the turkey?" demanded the
irate proprietor.
Fact is, Deacon" said job, with
drunken dignity, "when (hic) | got him